SUPER LICE FOUND IN 25 STATES: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A rare strain of “super lice” is currently on the rise in the United States with 25 states reporting cases of the atomic bug.

So what makes these lice so problematic?

Well, for starters, no over-the-counter treatment will work against these critters. Back in 2000, lice treatments were 100% effective, now in 2016 that percentage has dropped quite significantly. Now, only 25% of the treatments available on the market succeed in killing head lice.

The FDA has approved a new treatment for the super strain called AirAlle, which was developed by the Lice Clinics of America (LCA), however, a single treatment costs $170. According to the LCA, the treatment utilizes heated air which dehydrates the lice and is 100% effective.

Some insurance companies may cover the cost of treatment, but the FDA is recommending prevention as the best option to avoiding an infestation. Parents should be warning their kids about the danger of sharing hats and touching the hair.

If your child does happen to come home with lice, it’s important to continue to stick with treatments you know and not panic. Picking nits are still helpful in reducing the lice population and it’s also important to wash all bedding with hot water and vacuum areas the lice may have come into contact with.